Baby Showers

I know this is traditionally an American thing but I want to celebrate my pregnancy with a baby shower. Has anyone else thrown/had a babyshower? What is the baby shower etiquette e.g. should you buy guests little pressies? Who should organise it? Should you put food on? When is the best time to throw one?

I have a couple of very close friends that have gone a bit baby mad with me being the first in our 'group' to have fallen pregnant and they suggested that I should have a baby party of sorts or a nursery painting party so first thing I thought of was a shower but I like the sound of an 'alternative hen night'!

I love the idea - watching those American baby/birth programs with happily married couples, massive beautiful homes with immaculate nurseries all ready, loving, large families and caring communities all coming together at the mansion for a wonderful bbq, children playing, little loving speeches - ahhh, makes me misty eyed now thinking of all those perfect little lives out there - no, really it does
If you want a party - in a way, I wish I had the confidence to have done this - but house is tiny, not many family/friends to invite etc. certainly no one to do it for me!
My sil had one and we all had to take a baby photo of ourselves for a guess the baby game which was actually corny but fun.We were all asked to bring a poem for the baby to put into a memories book which was lovely. She asked for no gifts as she was a little superstitious about it but liked the idea of a book. I thought it was a lovely idea and meant everyone knew where they stood - just a party, no gifts till after the baby was born and a great excuse for a family get together. She and her DH organised it. Never called a baby shower, just a party.

I like your idea too Basketcase and to state no pressie but more heartfelt words to keep as a momentum will prove that the party is as a celabration/ meeting of all friends and family and not greed thing.

I'm off the booze expectin - much to my dismay, and the fags, and some foodstuffs blah blah bl**dy blah. Guess I'll just have to spend another night watching my friends get p*ssed............think I'm going off this party idea